G7 Week 15

Monday, December 10th

Today in science: We finished watching Episode 1, “Invasion of the Land,” of the BBC’s Life in the Undergrowth, a 2005 documentary focusing on the life histories, adaptations, and behaviors of invertebrate land animals. Among the more interesting organisms we encountered today were…

Also today, students who were absent on Thursday/Friday of last week had their opportunity to work on their Soil Unit Test.

Homework: There is no science homework tonight.

Tuesday-Wednesday, December 11-12th

Today in science: F period students were asked to explore the watery layers of their soil samples (the ones found in the Shake Test jars), while G & H periods were asked to explore two pond water samples. Among the organisms seen by G & H period students were various types of algae (both alive and dead), water mites, and snails.

Homework: There is no science homework tonight.

Thursday, December 13th

Today in science: At the beginning of class, students were asked to enter two labelled microscope diagrams into their lab notebooks as part of a “Reference” section located at the end of their notebooks. These two entries did not need to be entered into the Table of Contents. The correct titles for the two pages were a) “Binocular Light Microscope” and b) “Monocular Light Microscope.” After a quick Equipment Check of their dissection kits, students were then given more time to explore the two pond water samples with the two types of microscopes. Among the organisms seen by students in all periods were water mites, snails, rotifers, Daphia (water fleas), nematodes, and freshwater worms.

Homework: There is no science homework tonight.

Friday, December 14th – Happy New Year!

Today in science: Students were asked to offer a verbal answer to the question, In how many countries will step foot during the Winter Vacation?, which then formed the basis for the table(s) that can be found in the Notes Portal. Dr. Merritt then asked students to transform the data for their class period into two graphs of their choice (e.g., bar, line, scatterplot, etc.). The first graph had to make use of the first two columns while the second required the use of data contained within column three. Although some students were able to produce both graphs during the lesson, many students completed only one. Dr. M will be using these graphs to help him structure some of the lessons in January and February.

Homework: Your only homework over the Winter Vacation is to enjoy the company of friends and family, make time for lots of rest and relaxation, be thankful, do something nice for someone, try something new (but healthy!), and read at least one book for pleasure.

Time travel is possible…

Time travel is possible…

About the Site

What Dr. Merritt sees when he looks in a mirror

Although this site primarily aims to assist and support middle and high school science students and teachers, others are more than welcome to peruse (and use) it, of course. The design, content, and maintenance of SCIENCEsEDiment.com is the work of Brett Merritt, Ph.D., who encourages all site visitors to understand deeply, think critically, act creatively, pursue passionately, relate ethically, & use wisely. Dr. Merritt is an American educator and researcher who lives and works in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland (Ticino).